NHL Draft Profiles - Top 30

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Had a slow start in terms of goal production, including going goalless in 13 games in October, but ended the 2010-11 season with 17 goals in his final 20 games after being cut from Canada's U-20 team. NHL scouts' quotes: "He has hands like Datsyuk. He has unreal edges and unreal hands, best I've seen in junior. He has no one to play with in Red Deer. He really stepped up his game after being cut from the junior team, he has superb vision and passing skills. You have to consider him the best prospect in the draft."

Adam Larsson - He's already a solid contributor in the Swedish Elite League. Tried to do too much in U-18 competitions last fall and was prone to mistakes, but simplified his game at the WJC and dominated physically and defensively despite playing with a knee injury. NHL scouts' quotes: "At the WJC I think he figured out that it wasn't necessarily a step down for him, he didn't have the right frame of mind before that. By the end he was showing what he can do. Big, got some jam, can move the puck, got some pp ability, can do it all, but he's a clunky forward skater. Not most fleet of foot. If he was a good skater he'd be far away the top guy.

Jonathan Huberdeau - No top-ten prospect improved his draft position more from season's start to season's end. Dominant in the QMJHL playoffs, notching 16 goals and capturing playoff MVP honours, then followed that up with the Memorial Cup championship and MVP. NHL scouts' quotes" "He has poise, vision and creativity, he can outwait guys. He's so weak right now, when he puts on muscle he'll have more explosion. He's great at turning sideways with the puck and seeing the whole ice while shielding it from opponents. Everyone time I saw him he looked better."

Dougie Hamilton - Hamilton made steady progress on the Niagara blueline, and averaged more than a point per game in 14 playoff games while leading the Ice Dogs to the third round. Parents were Olympic athletes and older brother Freddie was an NHL draft pick last season. NHL scouts' quotes: He's a little raw, he's skinny, you project," said one eastern conference scout. "He's not real strong right now, but he's involved. He's got that range you like to see in a defender, and he's got some playmaking abilities. He's going to be a very good skater.

Gabriel Landeskog - The first European player to captain a CHL team, he was on his way to a 50-goal campaign before a high ankle sprain suffered in the WJC sidelined him for six weeks. Hailed as the most NHL ready prospect. NHL scouts' quotes: "He's a North American Swede. He will go between 3 and 5. Might be a third liner, but might be a first liner, a real hard working kid. Plays like a North American. A top 9 guy for sure, a very safe pick, he'll play. Not the most fluid skater, really makes things happen with hard work."

Sean Couturier - Sidelined by mononucleosis in August, Couturier didn't really get rolling offensively until after the WJC's, scoring 20 goals in 21 games and reaffirming his status as a top-end prospect. NHL scouts' quotes: "He's not a speed/skill guy - he's a power forward. The night after being outplayed by Huberdeau he came back and had a physical game. If he hits at all he's much more valuable. He's big, strong, smart, and very strong on puck. Skating the only issue, but gets it down low anyway, extremely hard to get puck from, excellent along the boards. He reminds him a bit of Bobby Ryan."

Ryan Murphy - One of the most offensively talented blueliners to enter the draft in the past decade, Murphy led all defencemen and set an all-time Canadian record with 13 points at the U-18 championship, capturing Top Defenceman honours. NHL scouts' quotes: "Will dangle in front of his net and beat three guys. A power play guy, gets his shots to the net. Quick, really good with the puck, sometimes tries to do too much, there's risk but there's upside. Gets pucks through better than Ellis and skaters better than Ellis, way better than Ellis at creating shooting lanes and skates better when he has the puck. but Ellis is smarter. Be drafted anytime after ten."

Ryan Strome - Made a solid commitment to fitness last summer and enjoyed a CHL-best 79-point improvement in his second season, finishing third in the OHL with 106 points. OHL Player of the Month for January. NHL scouts' quotes: "A two-way center, great skater with skill, competitive and smart. He could go ahead of Couturier. He's good at finding time and space. Will play some games where he doesn't do much and then go set up the tying goal and then score the winning goal. If he worked as hard as Landeskog he'd go top three."

Mika Zibanejad - Played 26 games in the Swedish Elite League as a 17-year-old and didn't look out of place. Had eight points in six games at the U-18 championships, and impressed scouts with his all-around, physical game. NHL scouts' quotes: "A top 15 guy for sure. Smart, responsible two-way center playing in the SEL, heavy shot, good size, good sense, decent skater, kind of reminds me of Backstrom. Skating is not an issue....lacks a little quickness. He did a lot of fumbling at the U-18's, puck was bouncing off his stick, didn't show natural finish. He plays the game at 200 miles per hour like Mike Fisher."

Rocco Grimaldi - Diminutive University of North Dakota recruit led the US development team in scoring. Tore up the 2010 U-17 tournament with 14 points in 6 games, then impressed again with a 13-point effort in the recent U-18's. NHL scouts' quotes: "This guy's going to play - he's a little warrior. When he's going, his feet never stop, he's so feisty. He can score, make plays, fearless on the puck, character guy, he's a hard little guy, he's a good little player. Didn't play great for me, was on his ass all game, but heard he's been the best player on the ice many times this season. He competes hard, but he's 5-6. Could go anywhere from 12 to 30."

Jonas Brodin - Impressed scouts playing a regular shift in the Swedish elite league and killing penalties. Didn't produce much offensively at the U-18's, but reconfirmed his top ten status with a smart, steady effort. NHL scouts' quotes - "He's hard to play against, really takes time and space away from everybody. Plays on the PK in the SEL already. He might go ahead of Hamilton - he's better than Hamilton right now, smarter than Siemens, probably top ten.....he's good, top 12 guy with skill and size."

Nathan Beaulieu - Duplicated his 45-point season from 2009-10, leading a veteran, star-studded Saint John blueline in scoring, and running the power play on the CHL's top team. NHL scouts' quotes: "He doesn't defend great. He's really good with the puck, good quickness, creates lanes, sharp passes, transition is good. Wouldn't be surprised if he was top ten. Could be a top 4 dman. As good as it gets with the puck carrying and distributing. Not great going backwards, but really good with the puck, good hands, good passer. Problems with defensive play because of his feet, his pivots."

Duncan Siemens - A blueline stalwart on one of the top teams in the CHL, Siemens provided hard shots, quick passes, hard hits and momentum-swinging fights all season long. NHL scouts' quotes: "He can skate, got some jam, alright puck skills, will be a third or fourth defenceman who is tough to play against. He is a stud. He's 6-3, and can fly. May not be the most skilled guy, but plays hard, and with good mobility. He's a top 10-15 guy, he may be the second best prospect in the WHL. Lots of teams want a player like him."

Mark Scheifele - A seventh round pick of Saginaw in 2009, he was the proverbial 'good player on a very bad team', collecting 75 points on a Barrie squad that finished with 34 points. Showed he could score goals when playing with better players at the U-18's. NHL scouts' quotes: "A good player on a bad team. Good head and hands, puck competitive, not a killer, sees the ice well. A good kid, good hands, and excellent instincts. He can shoot too, but doesn't have any teammates to get him the puck, That's a bad team. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes in the first."

Oscar Klefbom - Captained Sweden to a silver medal at the U-18 championships, and appeared in 23 games for Farjestad in the SEL at 17 years of age. His stock rose as the season went on, culminating with his strong play at the U-18's. NHL scouts' quotes: "Gad a cyst near his eye, couldn't play the first time I was in Seweden. - he's a defensive-style defenceman who can move the puck - a defensive defenceman - maybe late first. Displayed tremendous leadership qualities later on at the U-18's, and played regularly in the SEL, he really came on. He was outstanding at the U-18's, he took over some games."

Sven Bartschi - Followed up an 85-point regular season with an even more impressive 27-points in Portland's 20-game playoff run. Competed for Switzerland at the U-20's and played a regular shift. NHL scouts' quotes: "A competitive skill guy. a real playmaker. He has a high revving engine, rarely stops skating or competing, reads the play well and has good vision and passing skills, soft hands, knows how to score goals with a quick release on the fly. Better than Rattie right now, but may not have his offensive upside. He's a late birthday."

Nicklas Jensen - Danish winger made his OHL debut this season and needed little time to adjust, notching 29 goals and 58 points in 61 games before adding seven goals in ten playoff games. NHL scouts' quotes: I think he's a helluva player, moves well, skates to the net, top two line forward, first rounder, likely the best of the Oshawa trio. He's a big skill guy, lots of potential. I was a bit worried about his compete at the start of the season but he's fine. He adapted well to North America."

Joel Armia - Scored 18 goals in the Finnish Elite League, yet Armia saw his stock drop slightly this season due to inconsistent efforts on the international stage. Led Finland with 13 points in the U-18's. NHL scouts' quotes: "Saw one good period from him at the WJC. He's really not competitive, a poke checker, doesn't move his feet. He didn't even get a shot on net in last game I saw him play with the men, played like he did at WJC, but when he plays in Finnish junior league he can wow. He could be a bust, you have to compete. If he was consistent you'd really like him because he has really good hands and can do it all, he can dangle. He's risky, not safe at all. Doesn't try to fight through it either."

Boone Jenner - The fourth overall selection from the 2009 OHL Priority Draft averaged more than a point per game in regular season and playoff action, including seven goals in ten playoff games. NHL scouts' quotes: "He can't stop and start very well, skating is not great, wide track short stride, good work ethic, good head. He fights through everything. If he could skate well you'd love him. Took awhile to warm up to him. He gets stronger and the skating will probably come. He's the type of guy who will work at it I think. he's a great player. His skating stride needs to improve, but we said that about Couture, O'Rielly, Richards....if they've got outstanding hockey sense, character and work ethic they will find a way."

Joe Morrow - Portland's second-round pick from the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft stepped up offensively in the WHL playoffs,leading all blueliners with six goals, and finishing behind only Brayden McNabb with 20 points. NHL scouts' quotes: "Good skating puck mover, real gritty, he's got a stick, always chopping. Has a big shot, he can blast the puck. Last couple of times I saw him he played better in his own zone, have to see him more....has more upside than Musil, but he's too crazy. I have to go see him more, lots of jump and jam. Real good shot, but has no goals. Don't know if he's the smartest guy, but lots of athleticism. Not great in own end, good skater and a great shot."

Connor Murphy - Missed the majority of the past two seasons with a stress fracture of a lower vertebrae, but impressed scouts upon his return in February. Scored the gold-medal winning overtime goal for the US at the U-18 championships. NHL scouts' quotes: "He gets away with everything, and when he finally makes a play..it goes in. I wouldn't take him in the first two rounds. He's weak as can be. Not a quick twitch guy. He's a wildcard, could go anywhere from 15 to 35. Really looked good at the U-18's and the combine."

Mark McNeill - Had plenty of opportunities but was unable to finish plays at the U-18's, going scoreless in the tournament after a 32-goal, 81-point WHL campaign. NHL scouts' quotes: "Big body, good straight ahead speed, looks like a player, but a lot of letdowns. Not tough or overly competitive physically. Pretty good puck skills. I saw him once early on and he was no good. Stood around too much, agility not great. No emotion, no step up in his game. Got pushed around. Doesn't win a lot of battles. I want to see more compete. Even his agent didn't stick up for him. He could be so good..when he has time and space he's effective."

Vladislav Namestnikov - The son of former NHLer Evgeny Namestnikov burst onto international scene at the 2009 U-17's with ten points in five games. Adapted quickly to the OHL with a 68-point rookie campaign. NHL scouts' quotes: "Great puckhandling ability, good skater and agile. Sneaky shot and great lateral mobility. Could go 20-40, he'd be 30-40 for me. He has plenty of speed and skill, a little on the outside, second round at worst. If he's North American he's top 20 all day."

Jamieson Oleksiak - Stepped right into Hockey East at 17 years of age and didn't look out of place, playing 38 games and establishing himself as a player to look out for in upcoming seasons. NHL scout's quotes: "He's just okay, he's just a big guy. I don't love his feet, a knee-in type. Got puck skills, but not a great passer, doesn't have touch. People compared him to Gill, but Gill took forever to develop, we don't have that time anymore, they need to play soon. We're not interested in him in the first. Doesn't create lanes.....Didn't do it for me. Average skater at best. Got caught in between five times when I saw him, trying to move into the play when he should have been retreating, thinks he's offensive and he's not. Has some hands, but not great passing ability. Looked better the last time I saw him...he's improving. Will likely go in the first."

Tyler Biggs - Perhaps the most rugged forward to ever come out of the US development program, Biggs impressed scouts throughout the season with his robust and pro-style game. Provided a physical presence at the U-18's. NHL scouts' quotes': "I don't like his feet, don't like his hands, but I like his game. Character guy, so hard. Will plaster guys and fight. He's an old-style player - he's got no points though. Not a top ten guy, but after that....big, strong competitive guy. Bad feet, not the most creative guy. will fight though. He might be a Kyle Clifford type. Needs to play in CHL. Has a hard shot. Goes to the net. Third line guy."

Stefan Noesen - The Plano, Tx, native made huge strides in his sophomore season, improving his goal total by 31 and point total by 69. Added six goals and 11 points in 11 playoff games. NHL scouts' quotes: "Best of the three Plymouth guys, feet have to come a bit, competitive, raw kid, but he's got some jam. He's got everything, but just needs time to develop.... pretty good, raw, got some sense...slow footed but real competitive. Smart and competes. I really like his work ethic, goes out there and hits everything in sight."

Jonathan Miller - His last impression for the scouts was his best one, leading the gold-medal winning US team with 13 points at the U-18's. Will attend the University of North Dakota next season. NHL scouts' quotes: "He's a hard working player who's a decent puckhandler, but only average skill, see ice well....hard working, pretty good sense and skill, good motor, not overly creative. He's good along the walls, really helped his stock with his U-18 performance. He reminds me somewhat of Dustin Brown."

Zack Phillips - Showed his character by playing in the Memorial Cup with shoulder injury, and providing some key offensive moments. Finished top ten in QMJHL scoring in both the regular season and playoffs. NHL scouts' quotes: "I don't like his first step but he really sees the ice well. Between him and Huberdeau, difficult to stop. I've been lukewarm, but he just makes plays. Not gritty but a puck battler. He can saucer a pass. Not gritty but really hard nosed, fights through everything, only problem is his skating. No jump, a one-speed guy, but some don't see it as an issue....if he's got jump he's fine. Protects the puck well. He loves the puck. He's got to get stronger. Had fallen off of him, but saw him a few times since again, and has had some big games."

Matt Puempel - A 33-goal season in 2009-10 netted him OHL Rookie of the Year honours, and high hopes from the scouts. On his way to 40+ goals when a hip injury sidelined him in late February. NHL scouts' quotes: "I didn't like the way he played the last time I saw him, kind of a scampering type player. He's quick, I'm worried about the effort level. He's fallen a bit. Last year was top 15 guy, now I don't know. Has a quick release, short stride, he's got something, he just hasn't shown it yet this season."

Brandon Saad - After tearing up the USHL last year on the US national development team, found the going a little tougher in his inaugural OHL campaign, leading to a drop from the top ten draft status he enjoyed last autumn. NHL scouts' quotes: "Been waiting for this guy to impress me, and it finally happened - he did it for me the last time I saw him - he's a good player, good hands, skates well, goes to the net. Some inconsistency. Could see someone picking him fairly high because he's a good player.....He's just alright, not the hardest guy in the world....has games where you say he's a horse, but that's once every 7 games. I expected great things (after last season's with the U-18) and it's not happening. Sometimes when they go to a higher level of competition.... A little scary to me. Not in my top ten, or top 15. You wonder how much passion he has."